Cron-C or CV40 for CL?

[Jacob]

I have now moved up (?) and can join the M section of RFF since I yesterday, in a sudden dash of economical blindness, acquired a complete CL set. I've tried all night to tell myself it was a bargain. ~$500 for body, 40, 90, case, shades, filters. Everything seems to work, the body is used but OK except for a small crack in the front glass of the viewfinder. Seems just like a cosmetical problem to me. I took a walk with it today and love the feel of it in my hands. Please tell me (and my wife) it was a great deal!

Since I like indoor shooting without flash I'm looking for a fast lens for the CL and my Bessa T, so I consider the CV 40/1.4. At the same time, the small 40/2 is really tiny and has great reputation.

Has anyone tried and compared both lenses, which would You choose? Old, small and sharp or new, fast and almost as sharp?

Thank You for any opinions

 

[jaapv]

I would try the one you have first. You'll be surprised at the handheld shootability of the CL.
If you do buy a CV lens, check first for compatabilty. The focussing system of "general" M lenses is different from the CL/CLE, making it less accurate. And if you are shooting a fast lens wide open, that is the first thing you will need!

 

[Film dino]

.....Please tell me (and my wife) it was a great deal!.....

There's really no question about this being a good deal; even a quick look at closing prices on the 'bay will show that $500 US usually buys you only a body & 40.
As for the Nokton- only you can decide whether it's worth getting another 40mm for for that 1 extra stop. Perhaps you might like to consider a 28 or 21 or wider.
Good shooting!

 

[JoeFriday]

the lenses alone go for at least what you paid, so you did good!

as dino said, only you can decide what lens is best for you.. I personally would stick with the 40 that you have.. the Nokton might be a little quicker, but I'm not a fan of its bokeh.. on the other hand, it has great color rendition.. but whether your 40 is the Rokkor or Summicron, rest assured that it's a first-rate lens

 

[former member]

You got a great price. I suspect you can have the glass replaced if it interferes with the view. The lenses alone would sell for $500, as stated.

Rather than spend the money on another 40, why not get a 50mm next? I've just started using a Canon 50mm F1.5 lens with M adapter. It's the smallest fast 50 I've seen, and even fits in the Leica CL pouch case.

I also have the 40mm Summicron, and it is a great lens.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

IMHO, it is a great opportunity to shoot at a wide aperture when possible; if you have the money, I say go for the 40mm Nokton. Shoot both (Summicron and Nokton) wide open, and then stopped down at say, f/4 or f/5.6, and compare. Don't do "tests", do real shooting. -- You may find more than you expected.

 

[ray_g]

I can't speak for the Nokton, but the 40/2 Summicron I had was a very good lens. Since you just got it last night, I would use it first and see if, given your needs, a new lens is necessary.

 

[richard_l]

In my opinion, an f/2 lens which can produce good images (with good bokeh) wide open is a fast lens. Keep the old Summicron.

Richard

 

[Jacob]

Thank You for all the input.

I will probably settle with the Summicron for a while, unless I stumble over a super low priced Nokton (anyone...?). I all ready have a CV 25/4 which will be a nice complement to the two cron-c's. I have considered Brians tip, a fast 50 instead of a 40. A 50 and a 25 seems like a versatile small outfit. I have the Nikkor 1.4 in Nikon RF mount and like it a lot so that in ltm or a Canon 1.5 is definitely an option. My only concern is that they are chrome and more in early 50-ies style. The chrome-black Canons would be neater on the CL in my eyes, but they are not as compact on the other hand. Not that the look is that important, or, well, maybe it is... Or how about a 70's Summilux, is it smaller than the current model? I dont know why I ask, it must be way beyond my budget... So, instead, a Jupiter 3 might be something. Would it present a focusing problem on a CL?

Hmm, more cameras, more problems...

 

[JoeFriday]

I will probably settle with the Summicron for a while

it'll be rough, knowing the poor reputation of Summicrons, but I'm sure you'll manage 😉

 

[former member]

The J-3 is built to the Contax 52.3mm standard. You will have to adjust it to focus properly with the Leica CL. I guess some shots of the CL with the Canon 50mm F1.5 are required.

 

[Jacob]

it'll be rough, knowing the poor reputation of Summicrons, but I'm sure you'll manage 😉

Well, if i would just go for a good camera and lens, I would still only have the Nikon FE and the old 35/1.4, as the situation was a year ago before I found RFF! Since then something has happened to my relation to cameras... It's really strange. I seem to tell myself that the more different old cameras I buy, the closer I get to own an MP with a new Summilux. Ain't that funny?

 

[Little Prince]

I've tried all night to tell myself it was a bargain.

You're right. A bargain if ever there was one.

It's really strange. I seem to tell myself that the more different old cameras I buy, the closer I get to own an MP with a new Summilux. Ain't that funny?

That ain't funny. That's scary! 😱 😀

 

[former member]

Maybe I just like Chrome on Black.

Leica or not, here it is.

But if you have a Canon 50mm F1.5, and do not like it, it will go FAST here at RFF.

(Nikon E3 w 50mm F1.4 Nikkor, AIS Series)

 

[ray_g]

Well, if i would just go for a good camera and lens, I would still only have the Nikon FE and the old 35/1.4, as the situation was a year ago before I found RFF! Since then something has happened to my relation to cameras... It's really strange. I seem to tell myself that the more different old cameras I buy, the closer I get to own an MP with a new Summilux. Ain't that funny?

Some advice: Just go out and buy an MP and a Summilux tomorrow. You will end up saving a lot of money that way. 😉

 

[former member]

I say we make him go through the whole evolution.

Buy an M3 with a Summarit; then M2 with 1st Gen Summilux; Then M4 with pre-aspheric Summilux; THEN the MP with Aspheric Summilux.

 

[Doug]

If you find yourself wide open a lot with the f/2 40mm, and ruining shots with too-slow shutter speeds even with your choice of fast film... I suggest then might be a good time to consider a faster lens. I agree a fast 50 would seem to fit in well, if that focal length suits your low-light need. There's a side-effect of wide apertures, though, and that's a narrowed zone of sharp focus. Close-in, it gets very narrow...

I've long had the successor to your rig, the CLE, and have been tempted by both the 35mm and 40mm Noktons... It'd be nice, but I'm just not bumping against the low-light limits all that much, and don't want to take the hit on depth of field either.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

But if you have a Canon 50mm F1.5, and do not like it...

What? Somebody has a Canon 50 f/1.5 they want to get rid of? --- send me a PM!! 😀 😀 😀

 

[Jacob]

Some advice: Just go out and buy an MP and a Summilux tomorrow. You will end up saving a lot of money that way. 😉

Oh... Can You really do that? Just go to the store, point at the glass cabinet and say: "Could I please have one of those." What an intruiging idea!

... I wouldn't feel embarassed with the CL+50/1.5 on my chest. It does look a little odd, but in a nice way...

It's not that i call the Summicron slow, but I do hit the border of the dark side from time to time. Thats why I often prefer my S2+50/1.4 to my BT+35/2.5 even though the Bessa is lighter, smaller and easier to use. I know that the baselength of the Nikon is not the same as the CL. That might be a reason to go a little wider with a fast lens on the CL.

 

[former member]

I am putting the first roll through the CL with the 50mm F1.5. Comparing range on the distance scale between the CL and F1.5 and the Canon 7 with the F1.5, it looks pretty good. I'll let people know. I have been shooting a lot of close-ups, which stresses the setup. At mid-range and distance shots, it is not as critical.